How Important is Faith?
Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (NRSV)
The real-life battles that we face in life require real-life faith. Faith that’s active. Faith that comes to the fore when the going gets tough. Faith that helps us overcome the world.
Have you ever wondered why that is? Why has God set things up that way? Instead of just being there, helping us to avoid the trials and the suffering, He requires of us a faith in a God whom we can’t see and touch and hear and feel. Why would God do that?
Over the last few days, we’ve been chatting about having the sort of faith that overcomes the world – the obstacles out there that confront us and the obstacles within … our fears, our foibles, our failures.
If God were completely visible, completely accessible, if He one hundred percent of the time intervened in our lives to prevent any kind of pain or suffering or even discomfort, well … imagine a parent like that. All you’d end up with is a bunch of spoiled children, right?
Instead, like any good father, God gives His children the opportunity to follow His ways or not, to make good choices or not, to trust Him or not.
Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (NRSV)
Listen, God is in the business of growing your faith in Him and, in the process, of growing your character in Him. When adversity strikes, take the opportunity to believe in your heart that He does exist and that He rewards those who seek Him.
That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.
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